therookery | 001.

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001.

FORM: Crystal! Or action, if you happen to be around Kirkwall's Lowtown.
SENDER: Arohaerd
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal
WHAT: Aro has itchy feet and wants some advice.
WHEN: Today, mid-morning
WHERE: Lowtown, Kirkwall
NOTES: Crystal or action welcome! Please add any warnings to thread headers.

Hello, everyone. I'm Aro. I know some of you already, I'm sure, from the unfortunate snowbound arrival last month, and then the...incident with that mine, and now some more new faces have arrived too! Anyway.

I'm sure there's many more of you that I don't know. I know that some of you are from this world, and some of you are from others, as I am, but...we're all here, in this city, which is ruled by something called the Inquisition, as far as I can tell, and. Well.

[ A deep breath, while he thinks very carefully about how to word this. ]

While I'm grateful for the hospitality, and please don't think I'm not. There must be more to this place, this world, than Kirkwall. Getting out to see Amaranthine was brilliant, even though we were there to bring the others back. Don't any of the rest of you want to explore? We can go together, make a quest out of it!

And those of you who live here, or who've been here for a while, tell me of the other lands, and cities, and places of this world. Tell me where you like, tell me where I should visit. I just need to know where to start.

[ If you happen to be in Kirkwall to hear this in person, Aro will be the young half-elf sitting on a wall by the side of the road, with a flute dangling from his fingertips. He's very pale and blond, hair short enough for the slightly pointed tips of his ears to show.

Both before and after the broadcast, he'll be seen playing the flute, sounding out a variety of folk songs from his own world. They're strange to people here, but it all sounds like home to Aro. ]

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[ He'll just go ahead and side-eye this answer, too. Obviously the Inquisition have a lot of supporters. They clearly don't need him too. ]

They have quarters inside the main city, too. Don't tell me they don't, I've seen them. Look, I'll tell you what I told the other lady. I'm not a soldier, I'm an explorer, and I'll do much better outside the city than within it. I'm still willing to use my magic to help people, I won't refuse anyone. I surely don't have to wear a uniform for that.

Well--yes. I mean, no. I mean--we don't have uniforms, exactly.

But, um. The Inquisition does need the assistance of anyone who is able to assist. And--chiefly, we are--the Inquisition--we are more likely to understand the situations Rifters find themselves in. There are places, people too, less likely to trust or embrace, a--

I mean, if you travel with the Inquisition, and explore in the name of the Inquisition, then you are afforded some of the protection of the Inquisition. In a way. And other simple amenities. Like the quarters.

So you think it's dangerous, then, is that what you're saying? That if I leave, then people won't trust me because I'm a stranger, or because I have this green shard in my hand, and I won't have anywhere to live.

Don't you think anywhere can be dangerous? I have to say, it's never stopped me travelling before, and I don't always receive a warm welcome. You can miss out on so much of the world by listening to those kinds of fears.

[Oh, good, he gets it.]

Yes. That is what I am saying.

[Wait, maybe he doesn't get it--]

Though I suppose--yes, in some ways. Certainly you are right. But I do not understand why you would-- I mean, as there is a way for you to see much of the world without the risk--or as much of the risk, at least, there is risk associated with, um. Much of what might be asked of you. Or perhaps not much. But enough. Why then insist on the risk?

[ Insist on the risk. That's an interesting turn of phrase. Aro really doesn't see it that way. Perhaps he should. Perhaps he's too focused on disliking the idea of being drafted into all of this. ]

Tell me something. Do you know what it's like to be your own master? No one tells you were to go, or how to be or what to do or what jobs you can and cannot take, because it's all up to you. Every risk you take, or don't take, is your own. When things go wrong, there's no one to blame, there's a lesson learned. Some are harder than others but they're yours, and no one else's.

That's why. That's really the only reason why.

What, no--

[--Salvio blurts out, before he realizes, shit, he said that aloud. It's just that listening to the brief sermon on everything being up to you, and the you in that sentence is meant to be him--horrible. It sounds horrible.]

Uh, that is-- I would rather not. With any of that. I think there is-- I mean, personal freedom is certainly a positive and motivating force in the lives of many, including, it seems, yourself, but--for me, no. There is too--

I mean, inevitably, when failure finds you, that is... bleak. Not you personally, of course. A general you. It is not about shifting blame and more about-- about safety, you see. Security. That is part of what association with an organization would offer to-- well, to anyone.

[ Aro nods to himself, unsurprised. He's heard this attitude before, of course. ]

If you'll forgive me for saying so, sir, I find the thought of being trapped somewhere to be far worse, far more frightening, than the thought of standing alone. It's important to be safe, but the problem is, you see...when I sit still, I feel like I'm not alive. I don't belong inside city walls. For me, staying is as foreign to me as leaving would be to you. Do you understand?

No. I mean, yes. But no. It is difficult to, uh, work around to the thought of--

But truthfully, there are many, many ways to which you might be able to fulfill your, um, love of wandering, and also work with the Inquisition. You do not need to stay-- I mean, we do not want anyone to feel trapped. At all. There are projects and divisions that would welcome someone with an interest in travel and a-- certain fearlessness.

[ Well, that gives Aro more pause than anything he's said thus far. He's quiet for a moment, and then he lets out a breath. ]

Well. That wouldn't be so bad, I suppose. If you think that would still help...

I don't know. What kinds of projects or divisions do you mean?

Ah. Yes. Good.

[THANK THE MAKER. A slight measure of relaxation (or at least the absence of stress) creeps into Salvio's voice. This is a topic he can talk about.]

There are four divisions across which the Inquisition's members and volunteers might devote their time: Diplomacy, Forces, Research, and Scouting. And each division has associated projects upon which members might devote their time and energy, though of course members are permitted to give their time to projects associated with other divisions, if they so choose.

For yourself, given your interest in travel and-- and the like-- I would suggest Scouting or Forces. Both have aspects that would involve a certain amount of freedom. Though you would of course be required to report to the division head of whichever division you chose, so-- not complete, um. I mean, it is work, yes? So there it is.

Yes, there it is.

[ Aro doesn't sound thrilled. Forces. Imagine that, imagine being part of the armed forces of a completely different world. That's not just uncomfortable for him; it seems wrong. Why should he, a stranger to this whole world, be getting involved in any sort of armed conflict relating to it? The idea of Scouting is more appealing – or, more accurately, it's less unappealing – but still, the thought of it doesn't delight him. He sighs. ]

I'll look into it. That's the most I'm going to promise for now. I can tell the idea of going it alone really troubles you. I promise, I'll not take any stupid risks.

[ Though he'll be the one defining what counts as a stupid risk. There's every possibility his definition won't match anyone else's. ]

[YOU should be worried about you!!!! is the thought that flashes through Salvio's head. It stays in his head. He is not here to tell people what to do. He is here only to support and assist, and that is what he has done. Even a promise to look into Forces and Scouting is better than where they were before.]

Yes. Good. I am glad to hear it. Um, that is, glad to hear of both the consideration, and the, uh. Avoidance of risk. I th-- [no wait, consciously removing personal opinion--] It would be a good opportunity. Will be a good opportunity.

And of course if I can assist in any way to the process, I am--my office, I mean--we are here to assist.

[ Aro scowls down at his crystal. ]

Yes, I'm sure that you are. Actually, what is it that you do here? I mean, obviously it's clear you're with the Inquisition, but what division? And what's your name? Just in case I need to find you again.

Oh. Um. My apologies, I did not-- That is to say, I am-- Pizzicagnolo. Salvio Pizzicagnolo. With Base Operations, of-- Kirkwall's Inquisition base.

I, ah. I am an assistant. To the seneschal. I was, that is. We are awaiting the naming of a new seneschal.

[ He pauses. ]

Wait, so if you're an assistant to someone who isn't in post, does that mean you're in charge?

N-- No.

[A short awkward pause.]

I am-- an assistant. Only an assistant. Uh, the, appointment, of a true seneschal must be-- conducted by the Inquisition. I would never presume to-- I couldn't. Be seneschal.

[ … ]

So. Then if you're not in charge while there is no seneschal, who is? Surely someone has to be making decisions there.

Uh--

[Uhhhhhhhhhhh.]

The-- Inquisition? [Very much uncertain on that point.] That-- That is to say, I can, um. Predict, generally, or make educated guess, I mean--based on previous approvals and, and decisions, what the response of an appointed seneschal would be. But I am not--in charge.

[ .........................................

Yeah, okay. ]

So, then effectively you are in charge, you're just not supposed to be.

[ Beat. ]

Is that what you're saying?

I--

[Yes, is what he should say. Or maybe he should be saying no. Now that the fallacy in his logic and his chain of command has been pointed out, Salvio is stuck in a hell loop, from which he is trying, and failing, to think his way free.

That is to say: shit shit shit shit shit.]

No. I mean--yes! I-- The position will be filled soon. By the grace of the Maker. Very soon.

Oh, no doubt it will be. I'm sure the Inquisition has very strict rules and regulations about how long a post like that can be vacant.

[ There's always a hundred rules about this sort of thing. ]

How long did you say that had been, again?

Since Drakonis.

[Zero delay or fumbling with that response. Salvio is intimately aware of just how long it has been. He has a little calendar somewhere, a little sign. It has been ___ days since we last had proper leadership.]

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